Immune system disorders and deficiencies are legion, encompassing a vast array of disease and illness affecting people all over the world. Maladies resulting from primary and secondary immune deficiencies/disorders include:

From antibiotics and surgery to antioxidants and counseling, treatment choices are almost limitless. The main treatment questions are: How does it work? Has it been clinically studied? Does it tackle the underlying problem, or does it just mask symptoms?

The gastrointestinal system is crucial to immune function. Over 70% of the immune system is dictated by Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue (GALT) and 80% of the plasma cells responsible for antibody production reside there. This tissue runs from the tonsils through the entire intestinal tract. GALT health equals good health because it’s the foundation and structure of a strong immune system.

“These bacteria affect immune function, and may help explain why stress dysregulates the immune response,” said lead researcher Michael Bailey.

An amazing new product that stimulates healthy GALT and supports robust immunity is Isotonix® Immune. The primary ingredient in Isotonix® Immune is a patented compound called Wellmune WGP®.

Wellmune WGP® is a natural yeast compound derived from the cell wall of a highly purified, proprietary strain of hypoallergenic baker’s yeast. This link has a series of videos illustrating how Wellmune boosts the ability of immune cells to locate and eliminate dangerous fungus, bacteria and viruses in the body. Dozens of clinical, preclinical and peer-reviewed research testifies to the power and safety of this incredible natural substance.

In a provocative study researchers exposed three groups of mice to a lethal dose of Anthrax in their drinking water. One group was given Wellmune WGP® for 2 days prior to the exposure. Another group had Wellmune WGP® for 8 days prior and the last group had no Wellmune WGP® .

All of the mice with no Wellmune died from Anthrax within 10 days. Fifty percent of the mice with 2 days of Wellmune WGP® survived, and those that died lived much longer. All of the mice that had 8 days of Wellmune WGP® lived. The Wellmune WGP® enabled their immune systems to destroy the deadly Anthrax bacteria in their bodies.

Prednisone is a synthetic form of corticosteroid that can be administered in topical, injectable, or oral form. Corticosteroids are a class of steroid’s which act like hormones that are produced by the adrenal gland.

Prednisone is prescribed to very effectively suppress immune system response when treating a variety of inflammatory diseases and disorders. This includes arthritis, eczema, some cancers, irritable bowel symptoms, asthma, allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain conditions and many others.

When our bodies are under stress, a natural steroid hormone called cortisol is a released. Cortisol is part of the “fight or flight” response which causes changes to blood pressure, blood sugar, immune and inflammatory response. These changes are not harmful when the body has a chance to recover from the stress inducing event. Stress responses can become very problematic if triggered too frequently.

The immune system cannot operate properly under the influence of excessive cortisol. Impaired immunity leaves the door open to illness and disease. Because prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid it should be used cautiously, infrequently, and sparingly to reduce the likelihood of complications. When used judiciously, it can be a wonderful drug.

However, when prednisone is taken for more than a few weeks, it causes the adrenal gland to shrink, producing fewer natural steroid hormones. That is why discontinuing prednisone and other corticosteroids much be done slowly so that the adrenal gland can return to normal production. Sudden drug withdrawal can trigger dangerous side effects. There are also some terrible possible side effects and complications which can occur when using prednisone:

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects over 10 million Americans. Age-related Macular Degeneration (or AMD) is the most common form found in adults over the age of 55. As the “Baby-Boom” generation continues to age the number of people affected by AMD is anticipated to explode. In 1997, Dr. Carl Kupfer, who was then the Director of the National Eye Institute, publicly stated that macular degeneration will soon take on aspects of an epidemic.

Essentially, macular degeneration is caused when part of the retina deteriorates. The retina is the layer of the eye that transmits light signals to the optic nerve and brain. The macula is the center portion of the retina that renders detailed vision and acuity.

Macular degeneration is considered incurable, however several studies show great promise using oral antioxidants in preventing or impeding this terrible disease.

One such study published March 2009 was conducted by the Friedlander laboratory with mice. The study found that even healthy eyes incur cellular oxidative damage from light. Even small increases in oxidative stress went on to cause cellular retinal damage. Orally-administered antioxidants were remarkably effective at stopping the deterioration.

“People have thought before that antioxidants could have benefits for these conditions, but these data demonstrate clear proof of concept for this treatment approach,” says Dr. Michael Dorrell, a research associate in the Friedlander lab.

A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry finds that antioxidants “disrupt a link between two processes in the retina that, in combination, contribute to macular degeneration. Antioxidants also extend the lifetime of irreplaceable photoreceptors and other retinal cells.”

Antioxidants included in the study include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, resveratrol, and bilberry extract.